I know this probably won’t be of interest to many of our readers but Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has now had its warranty expanded to three years” Now, having had a few friends receive the wonderful red rings of death I’m not only happy, but quite surprised that Microsoft took this move. They didn’t have to cover their product with a three year warranty and, from everyone I talked to, they’re quite good with warranty repairs. Still, most electronics companies in the U.S. sure as hell don’t warranty their product for three years; you’re lucky when you get one.
Whats most interesting is that the Xbox has generally always been a losing division for Microsoft. They almost never made money on the original Xbox and granted, I haven’t followed the 360 that much either but I dont think; they’ve made money in that division yet either. In the face of that, they’re taking a one billion dollar loss extending this warranty service.
As much as people might decry Microsoft and all their motives and methods sometimes they do actually come out for the customer. Now, whether they’re doing it to save their own asses from a probe from the AG’s, who knows. I can’t help but feel better about it since I’m considering buying a 360 around Christmas time.